Flat tire dolly



Aug. 26, 1952 v, AY 2,608,312

FLAT TIRE DOLLY INVENTOR.

YLu'rt-I ER DAY ATTORNEY Patented Aug. 26, 1952 FLAT TIRE DOLLY LutherV. Day, Gosport, Ind., assignor to National Tool and Die Company, Inc.,Louisville, Ky., a

corporation of Kentucky Application December 8, 1947, Serial No. 790,416

This application is a continuation-in-part of my` copending application,Serial No. 768,212, filed August 12, 1947, entitled Emergency TireSubstitute for Wheeled Vehicles.

This invention relates generally to devices' which are used as tiresubstitutes to permit opreration of a wheeled vehicle in the event thatone of its pneumatic tires is accidentally deated or punctured. Morespecifically, the present invention relates to improvements in the typeof device commonly known asa dolly l l Often the drivers of automobilesor truckshave the misfortune of getting a punctured tire when they areremote from a garage or service station. Although the driver ofanautomobile can usually change the flat tire by replacing it with a sparetire carried for Athat purpose, occasionally this remedy is eitherundesirable or unavailable. For example, many women drivers have neitherthe strength nor skill to change tires on an automo-V bile; often atruck driver does not carry the necessary equipment which is requiredfor changing tires; the spare tire may have been previously puncturedand not yet repaired; or the driver cannot or does not want to botherhimself `with replacing the tire.

3 In any of the examples given, the driver must either attempt to obtainassistance, which may be a long time in coming, or he may attempt totravel on the deflated tire, thereby injuring the 1re.` f

It is the primary object of the present invention to provide a devicewhich will permit the vehicle to be driven without injury to thepunctured tire, thereby making it possible for the driver to reach agarage or service station where the tire may be repaired.

Another object of the invention is to provide 12 claims. (o1. 214.465)

such a device which can be utilized without the i use of tools oradditional equipment.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a device ofthe character described, which is adapted to yraise the wheel of avehicle and thus maintain and carry the deflated tire above the roadsurface.

A further object of the invention is to provide such a device which isadapted to quickly conform to changes in the direction of movement ofthe vehicle so as to permit proper steering of the vehicle.

An additional object of the present invention is to provide improvedmeans for positive cradling of the tire on the device.

Still another object, of my invention is to provide a device of thecharacter described, which is adapted to remain reasonably stationarywhen,

2 subjected to the forward thrust of the wheel as it moves into elevatedposition.

Other objects and advantages of my invention will become apparent duringthe course of the following description and with reference to theannexed drawings forming a part thereof.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, andin which like numerals are used to designate like parts throughout thesame,

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a dolly embodying the features ofmy invention..

Fig. 2 is `a plan view of the dolly with certain .portions broken awayto more clearly show the mounting arrangement of the front wheel of thedolly.

Fig. 3 is a front elevational view of the dolly.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the dolly, with aportion of the skirt removed to show details of the structure.

Fig. 5 is a view partly in section and partly in elevation, taken online 5-5 of Fig. 2, and showing the outline of a tire as supported. bythe dolly.

The dolly, which is designated generally by the numeral l, comprises achassis or frame 2 formed by parallel spaced side rails 3 ofchannel-like cross-section and a formed skirt 4 which is joined to oneend of the side rails 3 by welding. `The other ends of the side rails 3are provided with openings to permit the passage therethrough of an axle5 on the opposite end of which arerotatably mounted rubber tiredballbearing wheels 6r The wheels 6 :are held in spaced relationship onthe axle by means of washers l which are carried by the axle adjacenteach of the side rails 3 and by cotter l pins 8 which extend`diametrically through the axle at the extreme ends thereof. l

The front of the dolly I is supported by` a guide Wheel 9 which ismounted in such a manner as to be quickly responsive to a change indirection of travel, but which, nevertheless, firmly supports thevehicle wheel without causing undue binding or other restriction on freepivotal movement of the guide wheel. The guide wheel 9 is mounted on anaxle bolt Ill` which, in turn, is supported by a yoke member Il. Theyoke Il is so formed on one portion thereof as to provide a sleevebearing I2 which is adapted to be pivotally secured to a king-pin I3which depends vertically from the skirt 4. A thrust bearing I4 ismounted on the king-pin between the yoke and the undersurface of theskirt 4. The threaded end of the king-pin .I3 projects through a bracket`l5 which is secured, as by welding, to the under surface of the skirt4, and the king-pin is secured by means of a nut 33. Thus fthe forepartof the yoke II is so mounted so as to permit pivotal movement of theyoke about the king-pin I3.

In order to prevent the undue strain on the yoke and king-pin whichwould occur if the frame 2 were supported by the guide wheel 9 only atone point, I have A.distributed the load onjthe yoke II by providing`two additional contact points l between the yoke and the frame. Forthis purpose I have affixed to each leg I1 of the yoke a pin I8 whichsurmounts the edge of the leg. Thepin serves to carry a roller l 9 whichis rotatably mounted thereon, each of the rollers I'Sbengradiallyequidistant from the king-pin I3. f The rollers are adapted to contactand roll over the surface of an arcuate track Zilwhich. is-Igidly-.Asecured to each of the side rails 3. Thus the wheel 9 and yokeI I support the frame 2 at three spaced points, insuring non-bindingpivotal movement of zthe 'guide` wheel landduick response to changes inthe direction of travel.

In; ordergthat thewheel Ioran .au-tomboile or atruck= may. be drivenontothe: dolly I,. a ramp 2|, having depending isidesgZ 2, Ais ipivotallymounted on the aXlefEv between the side rails 3, openings23 ibeingprovided, inf the sides -22` to permit the pasfsage therethroughof.the1aXle. '.Spacersf24 which f are. also mounted on the axlef'oneithersideof the ramp 2 I, serve to maintain the ramp approxivmatelymidway between thegside rails 3.

As willbe noted in Figs.Y land 2, of the total 1length of the ramp,` the'greatergportioni extends rearwardly of thefaxle 5 so that :theramp'will normally tendto remain in the position'shown; in

Fig. 1. The end and sides of the ramp are-.beveled `asiat-"2560y asto`lie'ilat-vagainst the road surface :when-the ramp is'in its normalposition.

`I-he other end ofthe ramp 2 I'is provided with a pair of parallelspaced legsZI- eachof which is rigidly'secured Vas by welding, to'a side22. v.The "legs26- project downwardly and rearwardly "from :the ramp 2land are of such length as to cause' the Wheels 6 to be raised slightly(as best seen in'Figs.

i1 yand .3) vwhen the framp is engaging'the road surface. y

ll'huswhen the wheelof thevehicle is ascend- -ingfthe ramp, the normaltendency of the dolly to move is overcome by raising the wheels 6 volfthe roadsurface and allowingthe-legsf26rto engage Ltheroad surface.

i .As the center ofthe -vehiclecwheel passes over :the axle5,-thefweight of the vehicle will cause the Y ramp 2 I to pivot aboutthe axle'andlassume'a position tangenti-al to the periphery of the tireand wheel, as seen inFig. '5.V `Upon rotation of the VAramp-2| the `legs26 4willbe Withdrawn fromY contactwith thefroad surface and the wheelstwill thereby be lowered so as to come into'contact rwith thel road.

vThe'forwardportion of the 'dolly is provided --with a' bent plate '21which is 'pivotally mounted r`onfafcross-bar 28,-the ends of which Varesecured yin the side rails-3. The bottom of theplate 21has A formedthereon-two spaced projecting tongues 29 which serve as Yrests fora-locking bar 3l! which AIis rotatably secured between theside-railsrear- -Wardly of the plate 21.

"The plate 21 normally `rests inthe position shown in dotted lines inFig. 5, the locking-bar 3B ynot'being operative in this position.However, 'when the tire has ascended the ramp 2| and the ramp has beenrotated as previously described, It-he 'front portion of thetirewillstrike-the plate --2 1 and the ylocking bar l3f! almost simultaneously.

The impact of the tire will cause the plate 21 to pivot about thecross-bar 28 and assume the position shown in solid lines in Figs. 4 and5. The impact will also force the locking bar 30 into engagement withthe tongues 29 and lock the plate against counter-rotation, whereby aportion 3l of the plate 21 engages the tire and preventsfurther"forward-movement of thevehicle wheel relative to the dolly.

The vehicle wheel is thus cradled and supported .between the plate 21and the pivoted ramp 2|, the weight of the vehicle wheel being suicientto maintain the ramp 2| in position and the weight of; the vehicle wheelsupplemented by the locking faction ofthe bar.ll acting to positivelymaintain thoplate 21 in position.

.Thedolly Lnow takes the place of the vehicle wheel which it issupporting, and the vehicle may be driven at moderate speed to a servicestation wherefthe tire can be. conveniently repaired or 1 changed.

rwheels-Ii. The shield has a dual function inlthat itacts :asa secondarysupportv for the wheely of lthe vehicle in the event the tire is ofafsize'small l enoughtoV pass between the rampZ rand the plate Y21, aand secondly, the 1 shield 32 prevents road obstructions from hittingthetirefand possibly -jarring thevehicle ywheel out` of the dolly'I.

.From the foregoing description ofthe structure and operation of myinvention, it will be apparent N:thatIhave provided Va flatitire dollywhich makes itpossible. for: the driver offa vehicle which has adpunctured tire .toquickly :and Veasilydrive :the

vehiclerjonto the: dollyand proceed' to vthe nearest .service1station`without causing 'any injury: tothe tire. .The hazard VandzinconvenienceinvolvedV in changing tires on the road isthereby avoided.

It will beinotedtthatI 'have provideda novel Y'mounting structuretforxthe vguide wheel 9 which :permits thefguideiwheel .to operate"pivotallyan'd respond :easily .to changes inthe direction of travel,without the binding action which .is'com- :monlyl encountered in :caster.wheels of 'this type.

Furtheni it will be noted that a positive locking mechanism is employedin connection withthe v'rotation ofthe plate.21,'so"that anytendencyiofthe tire to overrun the plate and thereby cause counter-rotation thereofis'obviated.

And`lastly,it is to be noted thatIhavedevised means for raising vtherear wheels of the dolly off thev road whenV the dolly is` being loaded,thereby increasing thefrictional resistance between the dolly and theroa'd during the period when :the vehiclewheelis moving up the ramp.

AIt is to beunderstood'that the form of my invention, herewith shown anddescribed, vis to be taken as a preferred example ofthe'same, and thatvarious changes in the shape, size and arrangement of the parts may beresorted to, withfout departingfrom the spirit of myinvention or thescope of the subjoined claims.

'Having 'thus described my invention, I'claim: 1. In a dolly for avehicle wheel, the combination of a frame, vehicle wheel support mem-Ybers mounted in spaced relationship on saidframe,

and. three wheels supporting said frame, one of v-said wheels beingrotatably mounted on an axle journalled in a yoke member, the joined endof said yoke member being connected tosaid frame "for, pivotal movementin a horizontal plane, and

lthelegs of 'said yoke 'member being .adapted to slidably engage ahorizontally disposed track portion of said frame whereby said yokesupports said frame at three spaced points.

2. A combination, as defined in claim 1, in which rollers are mounted onthe legs of said yoke member for rolling contact with said .trackportion.

3. In a dolly for a vehicle wheel, that improvement in the mounting of avertically pivoted guide Wheel comprising a yoke member, an axlejournalled in said yoke member, and a wheel rotatably mounted on saidaxle, the joined ends of said yoke being pivotally connected to theframe of said dolly and the legs of said yoke being adapted to slidablyengage the frame of said dolly whereby said yoke supports said frame atthree spaced points.

4. `An improvement, as dened in claim 3, in which rollers are mountedfor horizontal rotation on the legs of said yoke member.

5. In a dolly for a vehicle wheel, the combination of a U-shaped frame,an axle journalled in the free ends of said frame, wheels mounted onsaid axle, a ramp mounted for pivotal movement about said axle wherebythe weight of said vehicle wheel causes said ramp to be rotated to avehicle wheel supporting position, a vehicle wheel support memberpivotally connected to said frame in spaced relationship to said axle, aking pin vertically suspended from said frame, a yoke member rotatablymounted on said king pin, a wheel mounted for rotation between the legsof said yoke, rollers mounted on the legs 0f said yoke, said rollersbeing adapted to engage a horizontally disposed track provided on saidframe, whereby said yoke engages said frame at three spaced points.

6. In a dolly for a vehicle wheel, the combination of a frame mounted onwheels, a vehicle wheel supporting plate pivotally mounted on saidframe, a locking rod pivotally mounted on said frame in normaloverlapping relationship to said plate, whereby said vehicle wheelcauses said plate and said rod to rotate toward each other, androd-arresting means adapted to cooperate with said locking rod, wherebyrotation of said locking rod is limited to a position at which saidplate is locked against counter-rotation.

7. A combination, as defined in claim 6, in which said rod-arrestingmeans comprise projections provided onsaid plate.

8. A dolly for wheeled vehicles comprising a frame, an axle carried bysaid frame, wheels rotatably mounted on said axle, a yoke pivotallyconnected to said frame and adapted to slidably engage said frame atthree spaced points, a guide wheel rotatably mounted in said yoke, aramp pivotally mounted on said axle and adapted to normally form a pathfrom the road surface to said frame; means, responsive to engagement ofsaid ramp with the road surface, for causing said wheels to be elevated,a cross-bar mounted on said frame, a plate pivotally connected to saidcross-bar, a locking rod pivotally secured to said frame in overlappingrelationship to said plate, and projections on said plate adapted toarrest rotation of said locking rod, whereby movement of a vehicle wheelonto said dolly will cause said ramp to rotate to a vehicle wheelsupporting position and will cause said plate to be locked by said rodin a blocking position, thereby supporting said vehicle wheel in anelevated position relative to the road surface.

9. In a dolly for a vehicle wheel, the combination of a frame mounted onWheels, a vehicle wheel supporting plate mounted on said frame forpivotal movement in a vertical plane between a substantially horizontalposition and an inclined position wherein it functions to block forwardmotion of the vehicle wheel relatively to the dolly, and meansresponsive to movement of the vehicle wheel toward said plate forlocking said plate in wheel blocking position.

10. A dolly, as dened in claim 9, in which said means comprises alocking bar mounted on said frame for pivotal movement in a verticalplane and adapted to be engaged and rotated 'by the vehicle wheel.

11. A dolly, as defined in claim 10, in which said plate is providedwith stops adapted to limit said rotation of said locking bar.

12. A dolly, as defined in claim 11, in which said locking bar isrotated by the vehicle wheel in a direction opposite to that in whichsaid plate is rotated when moved to its wheel blocking position.

LUTHER V. DAY.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the iile ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 834,146 Lewis Oct. 23, 19061,536,611 Duke May 5, 1925 2,198,438 Knapp Apr. 2:3, 1940 2,247,717Sutter July 1, 1941 2,309,198 McCleneghan Jan. 26, 1943 2,358,864Lockwood Sept. 26, 1944 2,414,383 Merriam Jan. 14, 1947 2,437,811 FoldenMar. 16, 1948 2,491,318 Knapp Dec. 13, 1949 2,494,725 Schwitzer et al.Jan. 17, 1950 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 234,266 Great BritainMay 28, 1925 108,226 Switzerland Jan. 31, 1924

